Central Activities Zone

Joanne McCartney: What support are you giving to the Central Activities Zone which has been badly hit by the COVID-19 pandemic? What further support is needed?

The Mayor: London’s Central Activities Zone faces a ‘perfect storm’: a reduction in office workers, a sharp slowdown in tourism and changes to how Londoners spend their leisure time. As Mayor, I will do my utmost to promote all that central London has to offer and continue to discuss these challenges with the London Transition Board.
I have introduced an unprecedented range of safety and hygiene measures across the TfL network to give people confidence to travel into central London. I launched Pay it Forward London where over £500,000 has been raised for businesses across London. My Culture at Risk Fund is helping some of London's at-risk creative and nighttime businesses. 22 venues in the CAZ have accessed grants totaling £296,000.
Above all, the CAZ needs targeted support from Government. I wrote to the Prime Minister to outline proposals including an extension to the business rates holiday and the furlough scheme.